31 Best Android Games With Controller Support In 2022
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* This roundup has been updated with new listings.
Google doesn’t offer an easy way to see if Android games offer controller support on the Play Store, leaving it up to you to uncover which games include this feature. This is why we at Android Police have done the research to highlight the best Android games that offer controller support. After all, there are plenty of excellent mobile gaming controllers. So if you’re the sort that prefers the tactility of a controller, this roundup is for you.
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Dead Cells
Dead Cells is one of the finest roguelike platformers released in the last few years, and the Android port is fantastic. You can select from 30fps, 60fps, and unlimited FPS in the game’s settings. There’s also an HD graphics option, which means no matter your device, whether it’s low-end or high-end, the game should run great. Having spent plenty of time putting this game through its paces, it’s clear that it runs like butter at max settings on high-end devices. Best of all, controller support is included, which is where this game shines, thanks to its precision controls.
Railbound
The developer behind the fantastic Golf Peaks puzzler released a new title on Android, known as Railbound, and it’s fantastic. The game offers incredibly charming graphics with slick animations, and the gameplay, where you connect trains by laying down tracks, is superb. Plus, it’s incredibly polished, offering a storybook theme that seals the deal. And like the rest of the games on this list, controllers are supported, making this a great game to play with any of Android’s best controllers.
Into the Breach
Netflix has been on a tear launching mobile games on its new Netflix Gaming platform and has even secured a few exclusives, such as Into the Breach. This strategy game is one of its best scores. It’s an indie sensation, offering pixel graphics wrapped up in familiar turn-based strategic gameplay that unfolds on a grid. If you enjoy titles like X-Com and Final Fantasy Tactics and have yet to play Into the Breach, take the game for a spin on Android. Since this is a Netflix game, an active Netflix account is required to play.
Streets of Rage 4
Sega had a heck of a series on its hands with Streets of Rage, where many grew up playing the brawlers. Even though the series appeared to be dead, in 2020, DotEmu released a follow-up, and it’s superb. It’s the best beat ‘em released in years, calling back to the classics while offering updated graphics fitting for modern devices. Since the game has found its way to Android, it’s only fitting to include it with our controller support roundup, as the game offers spot-on controller support. Even the touch controls are good, though you’ll have an easier time dominating this challenging game with something a little more tactile like a controller.
This is a premium release. You can pick up a copy for $8, and the additional DLC is $4. It’s worth the additional cost as it adds an endless mode to the game that brings tons of longevity to the title. Plus, you get a few extra characters, and they are pretty good to boot. If you’ve yet to play one of the best brawlers out there, give it a try on Android. It’s cheap, and it plays great.
Rocket League Sideswipe
Psyonix created a mobile adaptation of Rocket League, and it’s excellent. The twitch controls of the original remain, but the game isn’t in 3D any longer. Instead, you drive the ball from one side of the screen to the other on a 2D plane. Controllers are supported, and if you wish to compete, you will have to play with one, as this game requires perfect timing at clutch moments. The touch controls are good enough to have some fun in a pinch. Still, if you’re looking to rank up, controllers are the way to go. All in all, this is a bite-sized version of the real thing, and it’s an absolute hoot.
The Ramp
If you’re a big fan of skateboarding games, you may find The Ramp instantly appealing. This title boils the genre down to its basics, where creating lines with smooth transitions is the goal, along with pulling off some awesome tricks. You’ll spend your time on ramps, and there are a few to choose from, so things won’t grow stale. Controllers are supported, and while the touch controls work in a pinch, the precision of a controller can’t be matched. This title is best played on large screens with a controller in tow, though you can eke out a few sessions on your phone if you prefer portability
The Ramp is one of the best skateboarding games on Android, and it’s free, so make sure you don’t miss out.
Townscaper
You may not have heard of it, but Townscaper is an excellent city-building game, and it offers a solid sandbox where there are no goals, no timers, and no interruptions. You’re free to build however you wish, and since building is as simple as tapping the screen, anyone can play.
This a casual city builder that most about anyone can pick up. It’s also super-charming, with an excellent lighting system that is perfect for taking screenshots of your cities. You can also adjust the lighting to choose the amount and direction. Plus, there’s controller support, and the touch controls work great. All around, Townscaper is an excellent city builder that is perfect for unwinding after a long day.
DOOM
DOOM pretty much started the FPS genre, and many hold the game dear to their hearts. While many prefer to run the game through an emulator, Bethesda’s official release on Android is a worthwhile port of the classic to mobile. The music sounds slightly off, but the touch controls are on point, and the support for Xbox and PS4 controllers is a welcome sight. The game also supports keyboard and mouse controls, making this an excellent release for Chromebook users. If you’re looking for the second game in the series, it’s available on the Play Store for the same price as the first.
Castlevania: Symphony of the Night
Castlevania: Symphony of the Night is a classic Metroidvania title from Konami, and its launch on the Play Store came as a bit of a shock to everyone, especially since it’s available for $2.99, which is a fantastic deal. SotN is a beautiful 2D platformer that offers non-linear platforming-based gameplay, so exploration is encouraged. The primary campaign should take around eight or nine hours to beat. Since this port supports physical controllers, it’s a perfect title for this roundup. Seriously, don’t sleep on this one. It’s a classic for a reason.
GRID Autosport
If you’re looking for a console-quality racer, GRID Autosport is it. The game arrived on Android at the tail end of 2019, and you can purchase the entirety of the title for $10. This racer mixes many racing styles, ranging from dirt tracks to city streets, and there are a plethora of cars to choose from. In comparison, most racers on Android are free-to-play, so they often contain questionable monetization systems. Best of all, the game offers a 30-hour campaign, controller support, and exceptional graphics. What’s not to like?
Brawlhalla
The easiest way to describe Brawlhalla is to call it a Smash Bros clone since the gameplay is similar. At its core, this is a free-to-play platform brawler. Title contains a cash shop for cosmetics as well as an optional Battle Pass subscription that nets users extra rewards over free players. The game is best played with an external controller, though touchscreen controls are in the mix and can be adjusted in the title’s settings. All in all, the Android port of Brawlhalla holds its own, and thanks to cross-play support, you can play against your friends no matter their platform of choice.
Grimvalor
Grimvalor is an impressive hack-and-slash platformer. The game offers superb graphics, and it’s a premium release. You can expect physical controller support, and you can test out the title’s gameplay without going out of pocket since the first act is free. There’s a reason the game’s reviews have remained positive following the original release on the Apple App Store in 2018, and the Android port looks and plays just as great as it does on iOS.
Stardew Valley
Stardew Valley is a farming and life simulator, a niche genre with a strong fanbase. You can easily spend hundreds of hours in this game. Things start simple. You’ll plant a few crops and maybe raise a chicken or two. That’s all well and good if you prefer to play at a casual pace. But once you dive deeper, you’ll find a game with some depth and an endless campaign. Stardew Valley is a top choice, especially since the game supports gamepads reasonably well. The controller support doesn’t stack up to the console versions of the title, but for the most part, the Android port controls just fine.
Alien: Isolation
Feral Interactive has a knack for developing some of the best ports on Android and Alien: Isolation is one of the finest yet. This is the full game, and it includes all seven DLCs, along with controller support and cloud saves. The graphics are superb, with several settings for a solid range of support across mid-range and high-end devices. This is one of the best survival horror games ever made, and it runs beautifully on Android. Since the mobile port is the cheapest version available, think about picking up this fantastic release.
Call of Duty: Mobile
When it comes to mobile first-person shooters, Call of Duty: Mobile is one of the best FPS games on the platform. However, you may not become a fan of the title’s questionable monetization, loot boxes, and premium pass. Still, the shooting feels great, especially when running and gunning through your favorite stages with a controller. The touchscreen controls work well, but there’s nothing like a physical controller when precision is needed. The included controller support doesn’t quite stack up to the mobile version of Fortnite or the console versions of CoD, but it’s better than being limited to touch controls in a shooter.
Wonder Boy: The Dragon’s Trap
Wonder Boy: The Dragon’s Trap is a console-quality port, and it began its life as a 1989 Master System game. In 2017, the original title was remade for modern consoles, and thanks to its newfound popularity, DotEmu brought the game over to Android in 2019, complete with physical controller support. The game is a classic 2D platformer, and you can switch on the fly from the old pixel-based graphics to the new hand-drawn art, which is a cool feature. This feature-packed release sports more bells and whistles than we can list, so let’s just say that this game is a fantastic platformer.
Grand Mountain Adventure: Snowboard Premiere
Grand Mountain Adventure is the best winter sports game on Android. Originally the title arrived on the platform as a testing release, and over time its developer added new stuff, such as snowboarding, twin-tip skis, new mountains, a plethora of new tricks, controller support, and a leaderboard for those looking to compare race times. This free-to-play release offers the first mountain for free, making it easy to decide if you like the game before you spend any money on the title. Grand Mountain Adventure is worth the $4.99 in-app purchase that unlocks the entire game.
Disgaea 1 Complete
If you love tactical RPGs, Disgaea 1 Complete is what you’re looking for. The Android version is a port of the remaster that made its way to consoles in 2018. The title’s graphics have been improved over the original Disgaea: Hour of Darkness, and controller support is included. Plus, the newly-added touchscreen controls work well. Cloud saves are in the mix. The only problem with this release is that it costs $33. Still, what you get in return is the best version of this SRPG in existence, thanks to a wide range of QoL features that you won’t find anywhere else.
STAR WARS: KOTOR II
Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic II took a long time to get here. And now that six years have passed since the first title in the series was released on Android, gamers are eager to know if the port of the sequel stacks up. It’s fantastic. After testing diligently on an OP8 and Tabs S7, we found the game to be optimized well. On top of this, physical controllers are supported out of the box. You can even unlock the framerate, which is handy for devices that support high frame rates. It’s a great port, and it’s a heck of an RPG too. Knights of the Old Republic II offers a minimum of thirty hours of content that could stretch into a hundred. And best of all, the game supports mods.
Rush Rally Origins
Back in 2014, a top-down racer called Reckless Racing 3 hit the Play Store. It was one of our favorite racing games. That was until Rush Rally Origins sped its way to Android in mid-2021. Rush Rally Origins is the king of top-down racers on the platform. It offers responsive controller support, and the touch controls work well. There’s also a tilt steering option. The title supports 60FPS gameplay, and it holds solid. The physics are also superb. All around, Rush Rally Origins is one of the top racers on Android, especially if you dig anything that’s top-down.